We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Kris Lenker. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Kris below.
Kris , we can’t begin to explain how much we appreciate you sharing about your PPD experience, but we can say that so many in our community are suffering from or have suffered from postpartum issues including postpartum depression and so you sharing your story and how you overcame it might help someone who is going through it right now or in the future. What can you share with us about how you overcame PPD? For readers, please note this is not medical advice, we are not doctors, you should always consult professionals for advice and that this is merely one person sharing their story and experience.
Pregnancy and Postpartum was honestly one of the darkest times of my life. My depression started in pregnancy, and never really let up. It took years to conceive our daughter, and I was elated to have her. The guilt of wanting to be so happy and full of joy, but not being able to was crippling. On top of postpartum depression I had postpartum anxiety. The two took a grip on me and turned me into someone I didn’t recognize, while trying to be the best mom and wife I could be. I did my best to handle everything and waited for the symptoms to get better. To get my “pink back” as all the social media posts claimed I would. That didn’t come and before my daughter’s first birthday everything came to a head. Intrusive and suicidal thoughts had taken over. Panic attacks were daily, my migraine disorder was out of control, and I realized I needed help. I found a tele therapist and started an intense regimen of working through past traumas, learning coping mechanisms, and rewiring my thoughts. I leaned on my wife and started enjoying life and motherhood again. My migraines were controlled and things just fell into place. It’s still crazy to look back at that time and see everything that happened. I lost clients because I couldn’t keep up or produce my best work. There’s times in my daughters life that I struggle to remember. Plus there’s fear of ever ending up in a place that dark again. We decided one perfect child was enough for us to ensure I never have to go through that again (and for other reasons). Life is happy, my business is thriving, mom and wife life is the best. I’ll never forget the battle I went through to get here, and I’ll always feel proud of the work I did to save myself.
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
I’m a family photographer! I photograph events, seniors, weddings, and so many other things. Families are just where I thrive! I love showing the connection and love a family has. Snuggly moments with new babies, laughing and playing, parents loving every moment. It’s such an honor to me to get to capture it all! I have clients that were kids when I started shooting with them, and now I have their weddings booked. It’s the most rewarding thing! As far as my style goes, I love bold and vibrant colors, natural settings, and natural interactions! I like to say it’s real life, just a little prettier.
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
As a photographer I think the three most impactful things are education, confidence, and connection. You can always learn something new. Investing in your education, learning from fellow photographers, and seeking out new information is so important! Also having the confidence to use what you learned and master it in your sessions or editing. If you don’t feel confident it will show in your work. It’s all about believing in yourself! Lastly, connection! The connection with your clients is so important. If you’re connecting with them while they’re connecting with each other it makes magic!
Looking back over the past 12 months or so, what do you think has been your biggest area of improvement or growth?
My biggest area of growth the past year has definitely been learning to balance mom life, taking care of myself, being a wife, and balancing my business. I’m a stay at home mom Monday through Friday, and then I shoot on the weekends. Finding time for house work, everything a mother does, time to keep myself sane, alone time with my wife, while keeping myself clients a priority is a challenge at times. I feel like I’ve found a schedule that works, and balancing it all has become easier the longer I do it. Moms are superhuman!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://Kristinlenkerphotography.mypixieset.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kristinlenker_photog?igsh=cG52aHl1bmNxYzFk&utm_source=qr
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1Hoc7moqw8/?mibextid=wwXIfr
Image Credits
All images are by Kristin Lenker Photography
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
